Be prepared for flu pandemic



Be prepared for flu pandemic

A flu pandemic could be severe, and it is frightening to think about. However, there are things you can do to prepare. Be prepared, not scared!

1. Practice healthy habits to avoid catching and spreading viruses that cause colds and flu. Pandemic flu will spread the same way regular colds and flu spread.

• Wash your hands right before you touch your food, eyes, nose, or mouth. Use a paper towel to turn off the faucet and open the bathroom door. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available.

• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or use your upper sleeve if you don’t have a tissue handy.

• Stay home from work or school if you are sick. Avoid crowded places.

• Get an annual flu shot. It will not protect you against pandemic flu, but it will help you stay healthy.

• Eat a healthy diet, exercise, get enough rest, and do not smoke. A healthy body is better equipped to fight off infection.

2. Stock up on emergency supplies. During a flu pandemic, you should stay home to avoid infection. Begin stocking up on water and non-perishable foods now. Once a pandemic starts, it will be too late, and grocery stores could empty quickly. Prepare for at least three days, but longer is better. Each person will need one gallon of water per day. Choose foods that your family will eat and that require little or no cooking.

Your emergency kit should also include a battery-powered radio, flashlights and batteries. A future column will focus on this kit, but if you want to get a head start, visit for a complete list. You can spread out your purchases over a period of time by buying a few supplies each week.

3. Have an emergency plan. Ask about emergency plans at school and work. Have an out-of-town contact that everyone in your family can check in with in case you get separated.

Consider what your family would do if someone got sick and you could not go to the hospital or to the doctor. Now is the time to think about how you would arrange childcare if schools were closed, and you still had to go to work.

Visit the website to find more information.

Rhiannon Brewer is the public relations and information specialist for the Northeast Health District and can be reached at rcbrewer@dhr.state.ga.us.

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